Dude, DON'T Buy A Dell

[Oorang]

Anyone in the market for a new PC/laptop be forewarned. DON'T buy a Dell.

I purchased a new Dell laptop two months ago. Already it needs to go in for repair (under warranty). Without going into pages of gory details their products stink, their tech support and customer support is non-existent (even if you are lucky enough to get someone that speaks English) and they don't honor their warranties.

Don't be sucked in by their low prices. It's not worth it. One of the most frustrating experiences ever.

[Bullish]

I've been running only self built machines for several years now. It's really worth the challenge of building from scratch, as you learn the nuts and bolts of the whole thing.
And you get a kick ass machine that you already know how to upgrade and trouble shoot yourself.

[FairOpinion]

Sorry for your trouble.

I have a Dell, I know people who have Dells, nobody has a problem, somoen I know needed some tech support and got it with no problems.

I hope they'll fix it for you and you won't have any more trouble.

[Salamander]

Maybe I've been lucky.
I'm an Inspiron 8*** series fan and one of the ones I ordered came with the wrong fixed CD drive.
Not only did they get me the right drive within 3 days, they "upgraded" me free to a CD-RW/DVD drive.
I ordered a "refurb" Inspiron 8200 last year adn they surprised me by upgrading both the vid card and HD.
They've been champions at sending me any part that's ever been "off", to my tastes, with no argument.
I have a prepaid shipping box waiting out in the kitchen right now because one of my laptop ethernet jacks is "wiggly" after 2 years of use and they're replacing that and giving the whole mobo a "service check" just for the sake of maintenance.
Other than getting the occasional incomprehensible Indian tech support person [on the few occasions I've had to call] I have no complaints at all.
Plus, Michael supports the RNC.

[FairOpinion]

"He went to a local PC shop and had one built from scratch to his needs."

I had a terrible experience doing that, several components didn't work, had trouble getting them to replace it, they didn't even install the operating system properly. I eventually found another place who corrected the problems.

That was when I decided to go with Dell, and I've been happy.

[Oorang]

Thanks. I wish my experience had been a good as many of you folks. My experience with their tech and customer support has been so bad I was stunned. And I'm not one of those that gets the tech person and starts screaming. I've had to deal with those type of people (the kind that takes their frustrations out on the employee) and I will not do that. I'm just stumped as to how to get my new puter fixed. Wow.

[Ron in Acreage]

Some people don't know what they're doing. The guy that built my brothers was highly regarded with referrals. He basically gives you a munu of parts to choose from. CD/DVD, HD, Sound card, memory, cache,Intel/AMD processor,case etc.

[flashbunny]

Desktops I build my own. Can get better quality for the same price large companies sell their crap for.

Laptops: Sony vaio all the way. They cost more, but they are more innovative and they just keep running.

[Corin Stormhands]

Got a PC and a laptop here. No troubles.

Winders is a different story.

[FairOpinion]

I can certainly believe that you can end up with some incompetent people who work for Dell.

I would suggest you call the sales people,

800-915-3355 Sales

not customer support and tell them your problems, maybe they will be more interested in keeping a customer happy. It's worth a try.

You can also write to Michael Dell. I mean that seriously. I suggest to be polite, tell them, that you are deeply disappointed and frustrated, since you thought Dell is real quality, tell them all the details of what has been happening and ask them to help, since you are sure, they, at the top don't want to spoil their reputation.

I had an exasperating situation with Verizon,which went on for six months, without resolution, I was being given the run around, finally I wrote to the President, and they got some people on it, who finally corrected the situation.

MIchael Dell
CEO
Dell Inc.
One Dell Way
Round Rock, TX 78682
512-338-4400 or 800-289-3355
Fax: 512-283-6161


Good luck!

[Sam Cree]

Have had both good and bad experiences with Dell computers.

The bad ones are making me think about getting an Apple next time around.

[Happygal]

I have a Gateway, and from the day I bought this piece of junk, I've thought their service sucked lemons!

[Oorang]

I've spoken with the sales department twice. Both times they seemed quite disinterested and told me to call customer support.

Thanks for the contact info for Michael Dell. I will start on that tomorrow. You are correct with being polite. Being rude gets you nowhere except to give yourself heartburn.

[tallhappy]

Dell has been the most reliable computer I've bought and I've had to buy more than 100 over the years.

If you get a bad one they should replace it outright.

[FairOpinion]

Another suggestion:

You may want to post the technical details about what do you think the problem is with your computer, and what isn't working, etc.

There are a lot of technically knowledgeable FReepers, who could help you identify, whether it's really a hardware or software problem.

When I had the problem with my custom made computer, that the people, who buit it couldn't fix, it turned out it had a problem with the CD-ROM drive (definie hardware problem) and a setting in the software.

When I took it in to someone who knew what he was doing, he put in another CD-ROM, showed me what was wrong with the original setting, never had any problems afterwards.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I have an Emachine that was free after all the rebates. 3 and a half years and still going strong.

I've also had great luck and service with eMachines. I've had 3 and love them. Each successive PC was better than the previous one in so many ways.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

My son says the same thing. Since they moved to China, the product is garbage, like most Chinese made products.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

a Gateway laptop and it was in the shop the first month.

Again, since these namebrands moved operations to China, their products are absolute garbage.

[LuLuLuLu]

Another Dell user here. We bought a desktop in 2001, and I got a used laptop late last year.

After upgrading the desktop from ME to XP, we've had no problems at all.

[freedom1st]

I bought a Dell Laptop 2 years ago and love it. I have not had any problems with it. It handles all the data management tasks and other computer requirements for my small business superbly.

[Uncle Hal]

The last 2 computers I bought I went to a local computer shop and purchased from them computers to my specs. I probably payed a little more but I got exactly what I wanted and the service is great because they are right in town and will come over to take care of any problems with just a phone call. The down side of a local merchant is that they may go out of business rather quickly.